Question:
A canidate for a revision or not??

Hello all, I had a open VBG in April of 2000, lost about 85-90 pounds and have kept it off. However, I still weigh 285 and no more weight loss in well over a year. I throw up all the time and cannot tolerate many many things. I have a consult with a surgeon in April, but just wanted to know if I am wasting my time, or if I have a basis for a revision. Any and all comments or anyone who has went through the same thing please reply. Thank you    — MS. A. (posted on March 24, 2004)

March 24, 2004
Just wanted to let you know that I had an RNY and did not acheive my goal. Lost 120 lbs and have stayed within 10 lbs of that but I still weigh 250. I had surgery 2 years ago. Not sure at this point if I want to even ask about a revision, I think it is just me eating around the surgery that is the problem and not enough exercise too.
   — SARose61

March 24, 2004
You have a common almost normal VBG problem according to my surgeon. Junk food like chips go down well but good food like beef gets stuck on that tight band. My surgeon dr philip schauer in pittsburgh says the VBG failure rate is 80% in 5 years. His VBG revisions do very well and you should too. It appears your heavy enough to qualify. Youmay have to shop around for a surgeon who does revisions most of my surgeions revisions are done LAP!
   — bob-haller

March 24, 2004
While I understand what Bob is saying, not ALL VBG failure is due to poor food choices. Sorry, Bob, but I refuse to take the blame for something that was beyond my control. My staple line failed at about 5-6 years post op and I gained back most (not all) of my weight pretty damn fast. I was revised to RNY in July 2002 and took off all that I had gained back before getting pregnant, have so far gained a little less than 20 pounds and have every intention of getting to goal once I have the baby. <p> Whether or not you are a candidate for revision is up to your surgeon and the insurance company. If you have a mechanical failure, such as a staple line disruption or a fistula, you have a good chance at getting ins. approval (depending on your policy exclusions) Some surgeons are not as skilled at performing revisions, it is a more technically intensive surgery and according to the documentaion I had to sign from my surgeon, there is a higher death and complication rate. Please do your research on the surgeon you pick out, make sure he has done many revisions - ask him about his specific death and complication rate (national averages don't really tell you a thing). Good Luck.
   — Ali M

March 24, 2004
Ali you miss understood what I was attempting to say. My surgeon says the VBG is obsolete, its failure rate for a vaeriety of reasons too high and he doesnt do them. I think its sad some surgeons continue doing them setting up folks for failure. Although there are successful happy VBGers put there. Just before my RNY a friend who didnt want the RNY got the VBG, lost to goal and now 3 years later has regained nearly every pound. She is now trying to get insurance coverage for the RNY. Her surgeon should be ashamed. Of course I think all stomachs should be transected. NO ONE wants to go thru 2 surgeries. The VBG failures arent the fault of the patient, the surgery is just a poor choice for most folks. <P> For successful VBGers I am very happy for every one of you!!!!
   — bob-haller

March 24, 2004
I don't know of any surgeons around where I live that do the VGB anymore either, my surgeon used to do them but now says that the failure rate is very high compared to the RNY.
   — Saxbyd

March 24, 2004
Hi Bob, you're right, I think I misunderstood your post. I thought you were trying to say that the people with VBG make bad food choices and that is why they regain the weight. And my surgeon is the same way, will no longer perform the VBG due to the many revisions to RNY he has had to do. Sorry for jumping on you for your post!!
   — Ali M